Rein-holder



"(No Mode'l.')'

L. L. LEWIS & S. WILLIAMS.

REIN HOLDER.

No. 595,881. Patented Dec, 21, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTE L. LEWIS AND SAMUEL WILLIAMS, OF BU OKLIN, MISSOURI.

RElN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,881, dated December 21, 1897.

Application filed April 15, 1897.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LUTE L. LEWIs and SAMUEL WILLIAMS, citizens of the United States, residing at Bucklin, in the county of Linn and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein- Holders; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has for its object to provide a harness-hook which is preferably applied to the saddle and forms an attachment for holding the reins or the hitching-strap in clamped engagement with the hook, a split ring or sectional loop being located in the rear of the hook to act as an additional holder.

The invention contemplates a construction by which the reins or hitching-strap can be readily placed in engagement with both parts of the device and as quickly removed without requiring the attachment to be manually operated.

Having the above objects in view the invention consists in providing a harness-hook with an adjoining split ring or sectional loop, one member of which is pivoted to the other member and spring-actuated toward the same.

The invention further consists in the particular construction and combination of the parts to form a rein-holder attachment for harness which is simple and cheap in its construction and effective in operation.

In the following specification we have entered into a detail description of the parts which constitute our invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to numerals of reference thereon,and what we consider to be the novel features of the invention are specifically recited in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of our invention to the saddle of the harness. Fig. 2 is adetail side elevation of the attachment. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is an end View. I

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the base -plate, which forms the means for connecting the several parts of our invention and also the means by which the attachment is secured to the harness.

In the Serial No. 632,244. (No model.)

drawings we have shown the base-plate as forming a part of one of the rings, though it is obvious the attachment could be formed independent thereof. Near one end of the base-plate is a projecting hook 2, which is provided with a recess, and within this recess is adapted to move an angle-piece 3, which is pivoted at its angle between lugs or ears 4, extending from the base of the hook, said ears or lugs being pierced to receive the pivot-pin 5. The angle-plate is so arranged with respect to the hook that when one member is parallel with the base-plate the other member acts to close the hook, and in order to hold the angle-plate in an adjusted position, as well as assist in throwing the same, we pro vide a flat spring 6, which bears upon the angle-plate at the corner thereof. By this construction and arrangement of thehook it will be seen that when the angle-plate is thrown with its rear member elevated and its forward member lying against the base-plate an insertion of a strap, with a pull upon the vertical member, will act'to throw the angle-piece in such manner that the other member is brought to bear against the strap and hold it in engagement with the hook. The spring in connection with the corners of the angle-piece serves to secure this engagement. The spring is not so strong but that it will permit the angle-piece to be swung upon its pivot by drawing upon the reins in disengaging the said reins from the hook. It will thus be noted that in placing the reins in engagement with the hook it is not necessary to manually manipulate the an gle-piece, for one member will be acted upon to throw the same upon its pivot and cause the other part to close upon the reins. Conversely, in removing the reins the clamping member is acted upon to throw the angle-piece in its original or normal position. In connection with this hook and device for holding the reins in engagement therewith we provide a loop or retaining-ring, which is located in the rear of said hook, and consists of a stationary member 7, forming one half of the ring, and a member 8, forming the other half,-the latter member being pivoted at its lower end between the lugs or cars 9, extending from the base-plate. The lower end of this pivoted member is extended inward to provide a tongue 10, that engages a surface by which the said section can be manipulated, and in placing the reins in engagement with the ring one side of the reins is pressed against said extension to open the section and permit the passage of the said reins therein.

By reference to the drawings it will be noted that we form the base-plate, hook, and one member of the split ring out of a single piece of sheet metal, the said piece being farther extended to provide the ears, between which the movable section of the ring is pivoted, as well as the tongues which are bent over to embrace the flat spring. This manner of constructing the rigid parts of the attachment permits the said attachment to be cheaply manufactured.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of our improved rein-holder will be readily understood, for 'in placing the reins or a hitching strap in engagement with the attachment the said strap is first looped upon itself and then placed over the hook and drawn upon to operate the angle-piece or clamp, after which the strap i may be manipulated to open the pivoted sec- 3 tion of the ring and pass it within the same. 1 This will securely hold the reins in engagement with the harness, and the parts can be as quickly manipulated in releasing the reins, for it is only necessary to first swing open the pivoted section of the ring and then draw upon the angle-piece of the hook.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an attachment for harness, the coinbination with a hook, of a split ring or sectional loop located in the rear thereof and comprising a stationary member, a pivoted member adapted to swing away from the stationary member and having a free end which is extended above the adjoining end of said stationary member, and a spring fornormally closing the pivoted member upon the stationary member, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an attachment for harness, the combination of a hook having a slot therein, and a spring-actuatcd angle-piece pivoted to the shank and adapted to close the said hook, together with a split ring or sectional loop comprising a stationary member and a pivoted member, the latter being spring-actuated to close upon the stationary member, substan tially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUTE L. LEWIS.

SAMUEL WILLIAMS.

\Vitnesses:

G L. VANCE, NV. G. MOO-ALL. 

